MODEL: Dell XPS 13$1,000 (starting) to $1,500 (as tested)PROS:Not only was this stylish, compact Dell ranked highest by testers, but it was also our top lab performer for its long battery life (over 5 hours), high-definition video quality, boot-up and program start-up times, and ergonomically designed keyboard.CONS:Its lightness makes it prone to tipping off your lap; the Dell has just two USB ports and no SD card slot; and the touchpad occasionally misinterpreted hand gestures.

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Best Overall

Best Overall

MODEL: Dell XPS 13

$1,000 (starting) to $1,500 (as tested)

PROS:

Not only was this stylish, compact Dell ranked highest by testers, but it was also our top lab performer for its long battery life (over 5 hours), high-definition video quality, boot-up and program start-up times, and ergonomically designed keyboard.

CONS:

Its lightness makes it prone to tipping off your lap; the Dell has just two USB ports and no SD card slot; and the touchpad occasionally misinterpreted hand gestures.

Marko Metzinger/Studio D

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Most Portable

Most Portable

MODEL: Toshiba Z835

$849 (as tested) to $1,429

PROS:

The thinnest and lightest of the PCs is also among the least expensive. Testers praised the touchpad's rare left and right mouse buttons and the three USB ports, SD card slot, and great video graphics. One of the quickest start-up speeds and an average battery life (3.7 hours) make it a wise buy.

CONS:

With a maximum 128GB of memory, it may eventually require an external drive. We didn't love its keyboard design, thin-sounding audio, or slightly flimsy feel.

Best Overall

MODEL: Dell XPS 13

$1,000 (starting) to $1,500 (as tested)

PROS:

Not only was this stylish, compact Dell ranked highest by testers, but it was also our top lab performer for its long battery life (over 5 hours), high-definition video quality, boot-up and program start-up times, and ergonomically designed keyboard.

CONS:

Its lightness makes it prone to tipping off your lap; the Dell has just two USB ports and no SD card slot; and the touchpad occasionally misinterpreted hand gestures.

Marko Metzinger/Studio D

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Most Portable

MODEL: Toshiba Z835

$849 (as tested) to $1,429

PROS:

The thinnest and lightest of the PCs is also among the least expensive. Testers praised the touchpad's rare left and right mouse buttons and the three USB ports, SD card slot, and great video graphics. One of the quickest start-up speeds and an average battery life (3.7 hours) make it a wise buy.

CONS:

With a maximum 128GB of memory, it may eventually require an external drive. We didn't love its keyboard design, thin-sounding audio, or slightly flimsy feel.

Courtesy of Toshiba

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Sleekest Design

MODEL: Apple MacBook Air Ultrabook

$1,000 (starting) to $1,600 ($1,300 as tested)

PROS:

All the allure of Apple's operating system and aesthetic for about the same price as a PC. Our engineers deemed it slimmest overall. Highlights: a smoothly operating trackpad; a backlit keyboard; speedy start-up; impressive battery life (almost 5 hours); great screen quality.

CONS:

Has just two USB ports and an SD card slot. Audio was subpar, and video was choppy: For heavy multimedia use, consider the more powerful MacBook Pro.